Container or dispensing device for rolls of sheet material, such as paper, metal foil etc.

ABSTRACT

A container or dispenser for a roll of sheet material, such as paper, metal foil etc., is provided in the form of a cylindrical casing having diametrically opposed openings whereof at least one constitutes an opening for withdrawal of the rolled material. This opening has, in relation to the central transverse plane of the dispenser, a symmetrical T-shape, triangle shape, circular sector shape or a shape intermediate to these, with an extension along the dispenser corresponding to the width of the roll of material and a circumferential extension in said central plane corresponding to about 25 to about 40 percent of the circumference of the dispenser.

United States Patent Benson et a l. V l

[54] CONTAINER OR DISPENSING OEVICE FOR ROLLS OF SHEET MATERIAL, SUCH AS PAPER, METAL FOIL ETC.

[72] Inventors: Bengt Anders Benson, Sibyllegatan 30, H4 43; Karl Enar' llammmtrom,

Heleneboregatan 38, 117 32, both of Stockholm, Sweden [22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1969 [2]] Appl. No.: 872,300

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct/3i, I968 Sweden.. ..l4815/68 [52 us. Cl. ..22s/s3, 225/44, 225/90 [51] lm. Cl. 1326f 3/02 [58] Field of Search ....22s/ss, 44, 90; 206/58, 525

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,783,878 3/1957 Traver .225/53 x 3,291,299 12/1966 Minnotte ..206/58 [451 Mar, 14, 1972 1,827,000 l0ll93l Duffin ..22SI53X 3,525,462 8/ i970 Freedman .Q ..225l44 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,208,858 2/1960 France ..225I53 Primary Examiner-William S. Lawson Assistant Examiner-Leon Gilden v Attomey-Sparrow and Sparrow [57] ABSTRACT A container or dispenser for a roll of sheet material, such as paper, metal foil etc., is provided in the form of a cylindrical casing having diametrically opposed openings whereof at least 7 one constitutes an opening for withdrawal of the rolled material. This opening has, in relation to the central transverse plane of the dispenser, a symmetrical T-shape, triangle shape, circular sector shape or a shape intermediate to these, with an extension along the dispenser corresponding to the width of the roll of material and a circumferential extension in said central plane corresponding to about 25 to about 40 percent of the circumference of the dispenser.

l8Claims, l6DrawlngFignrea PATENTEBMARM 1972 13,648,910

sum 1 OF 8 INVENTORS Bwgc Ana, 15m.

Ka.r\ Ehar arm-writ ram 15- avv0u w avid-r00 ATTORNEY5 PAIENTEDMAR 14 I912 3,648,910

sum 2 [IF 8 INVENTORS AnAerS Eeno g Sean-row n) sg arraq ATTORNEYS PATENTEDMAR14 I972 3,648,910

SHEET 8 OF 8 INVENTORQ B a": Anatr's Beng B: SQLI'U'OM) I. 3?; rv-ug ATTORNEYS CONTAINER R DISPENSING DEVICE FOR ROLLS 0F SHEET MATERIAL, SUCH AS PAPER, METAL FOIL ETC.

The present invention relates to a container or dispenser for a roll of paper, especially absorbent cleaning paper (paper toweling), a roll of metal foil, e.g., aluminum foil, and similar materials wound on a roll.

Absorbent cleaning paper has been increasingly used in recent years, even for purposes quite outside the household or domestic area. As is well known the paper consists of a simple, absorbent substance, smooth or crepe, and is marketed in the form of approximately 230 mm. wide rolls having a diameter varying from about 80 to 130 mm. It is rather tough, and in order to detach a portion thereof fairly straight across the supply roll some kind of cutting-edge or knife is required. Dispensers of different kinds provided with such an edge or knifeblade have already been marketed more or less successfully, but they have all been adapted for mounting on a wall, and consequently intended for stationary use.

However, owing to the increasing popularity of paper toweling its general adaptability has lead to its application outside the home, e.g., in cars, boats etc. Unfortunately the paper is rather unhandy under these conditions since it is brought along as a separate roll from which a portion is stripped or rather torn off. In a car, for example, the roll gets dirty easily, the paper unwinding and getting soiled, which gives an untidy and unclean impression.

Consequently there has long been a need for some kind of container or dispenser for such single rolls of paper toweling, preferably equipped with some sort of cutting device. The construction of such a dispenser involves a practical problem arising from the wish to fulfill two more or less conflicting requirements: on the one hand the supply roll must be protected and kept from unwinding, but on the other hand the leading end thereof should be readily available and easy to grasp so that it may be pulled out without having to release, unscrew or open anything at all. Earlier efforts to solve the problem have not resulted in a balanced fulfilment of these two requirements. Either the supply roll has been satisfactorily protected but rendered difficult to manipulate, or the paper has been easily accessible and detachable, but insufficiently protected, resulting in a dragging of the unwound portion, and soiling.

One object of the present invention is thus to provide a container or dispenser of the kind referred to, which in a satisfactory way fulfills the requirement that the supply roll be both protected and accessible for easy withdrawal and detachment of a length of paper. The object is achieved and the abovementioned inconveniences inherent in earlier devices of a similar nature are avoided by giving the dispenser according to the invention the characteristics described in claim 1.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser loaded with a roll of paper, the figure illustrating how the roll may be grasped directly through the openings of the dispenser.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the flattened casing of the dispenser showing the shape of the openings.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an end-portion of the dispenser according to the invention provided with a screwlid, the section taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 5, which in turn is an end view of the dispenser according to the invention illustrating embodiments according to both FIGS. 4 and 6.

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4, but showing the dispenser having an end-cap in the form of a snap-on lid of nonrigid plastic, the section taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the dispenser shown in FIG. 6 taken along line VII-VII in the same figure.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment according to the invention, the casing divided lengthwise in two symmetrical halves, the one the mirror-image of the other, designed to be telescoped into each other, thereby forming a cylinder.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment divided centrally at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical dispenser and arranged to accommodate a roll of aluminum foil.

FIGS. 10 and ll show the dispenser divided lengthwise into two articulated halves; FIG. 11 being a sectional view along line XI-XI in FIG.

FIGS. 12 and I3 shown an embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention divided lengthwise in a similar way, but where the halves are linked by means of a flexible end-cap portion. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along line XIl-Xll of FIG. 13, which isin turn an end view seen from the plane marked by line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12. Finally FIGS. 14 to 16 show an embodiment divided in a manner permitting a quantity'of dismantled, empty dispensers to be packed and transported within a rather limited space, FIGS. 15 and 16 illustratingschematically how the different parts of the container may'be piled within each other.

The embodiment of the container or dispenser according to the invention illustrated in FIG. l,-comprises a casing 10 provided with a cap or a lid 12 at either end. The casing 10 has two specifically shaped, diametrically opposed openings 14, one of which is shown in FIG. 1. The plan view of the flattened casing in FIG. 3 shows the form of the openings 14 in greater detail. They are substantially T-shaped (edge line 15) or somewhat triangular (edge line 15a), having smoothly rounded comers or transitions between the sides, In some cases a more nearly triangular shape (edge line 15b) or even arcuate or circular sector shape (edge line 15c) may be preferred. The transverse line of the T or the area adjacent to the base of the triangle forms a slot 16 extending axially along the casing and having a length slightly exceeding the width of the paper roll 22 in the dispenser, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The leading end 24 of the paper may be pulled out through the slot 16, on one side limited by an edge 18 of the dispenser. This edge, preferably sharpened or toothed, serves as a cutting edge for the paper. The opposite side of the slot merges into a central finger opening 20 forming the trunk of the T (or the top area of the triangle). In certain cases one of the two opposed openings 14 may be reduced into just a'finger opening, as indicated by the dot and dash lines 15d of FIG. 3.

Each end lid 12 is provided with a central, inwardly projecting boss or hub portion 26 forming guide and bearing means for the paper roll 22, which usually consists of a core 22a in the form of a cardboard cylinder upon which the paper is wound. The bosses engage the end portions of the cylinder core 22a with a certain degree of play, possibly under a slight frictional pressure on the end edges in a manner that will be explained later. In this way the roll 22 is held well-centered and freely rotatable inside the dispenser. As shown in FIG. 3, the openings 14 are located parallel to one another on the easing and the peripheral distance between them is equal to half the circumference ofthe casing. Consequently, in the fully-assembled dispenser the openings will be lying diametrically opposite one another and, in relation to each other, inverted. Owing to their similar location the paper strip may be pulled out of either of them in the same manner, and either of them may be selected for the dispensing of the paper. On the other hand, of course, the openings may be set opposite one another but so arranged that the finger openings 20 point toward each other. In certain cases such a modification may bring about some advantages, as will be explained later.

Thus the aforementioned object of the invention is achieved thanks to the specific: shape of the openings 14 and their relative location. The paper roll 22 is on one hand well protected and prevented from coming unwound, but on the other hand the free end is easily graspable for the withdrawal and detachment of a length of paper. This is particularly evident from FIG. 2, which shows how a (right-handed) person clasps the casing of the casing of the dispenser with his left hand, his thumb and for example his foreand middle fingers directly clasping the roll'of paper. As a matter of fact, when actually using the dispenser one gets a feeling of holding just the roll of paper. It is not at all evident that the roll is in reality contained within a dispenser. The leading end 24 of the paper may then be pulled out to the desired length with the right hand and torn off against the edge 18.

It is already known how to arrange rolls of paper, foil, film or the like supported or mounted on pilot guides or axles, but in principle the dispenser according to the invention functions in the intended way by having the roll lying free inside the dispenser. In this connection the bosses 26 have a particular advantage which may be clear from a closer look at FIG. 2. In the situation where the roll has been inserted recently or is almost unused, i.e., when having a rather large diameter, it is adequately guided by the walls of the dispenser; but when the roll is almost finished having just a little paper left on the core 22a, the remaining part of the roll would, if there were no bosses 26, toss about inside the dispenser, which is rather inconvenient. But as was mentioned before the dispenser is capable of carrying out the above-described basic task even without roller guidings on the end walls of the dispenser.

While retaining the above-mentioned principles in designing the dispenser according to the invention, i.e., that it shall be provided with two T-shaped or somewhat triangular or arcuate openings opposite one another and with end-walls having guides for the roll of paper or other sheet material, the dispenser may be constructed in several different ways with respect to its opening for insertion of the roll. A few altematives will now be given with the reminder, naturally, that these alternatives are put forward by way of example, not by way of restriction.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate one very practible construction, wherein the cylindrical casing a is simply provided with either screwlids 12a, lids having bayonet joints, or lids adapted to be pushed on and held by means of friction to one or both ends of the casing. In the first case, naturally, the dispenser is constructed with one end wall or base portion integrated with or permanently fixed to the casing and having a guide or boss. The lids, preferably made of plastic like the casing, are recessed in the center, thereby forming an inwardly projecting boss 26a with a shoulder 28a for respectively radial and axial centering of the paper roll 22, as is shown clearly in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a construction similar to that of FIGS. 4 and 5, except that the end lids 12b are made of nonrigid plastic and provided with edges 30 which protrude inwardly slightly for fitting into a groove 32 located in the end portions of the casing 10b, or alternatively behind a low rib or flange protruding radially outwards at each end of the casing. The end lid or lids are thus snapped on to the end portions in an ordinary manner. The lids may be provided with a flap 34 for gripping.

Another possible variant is shown in FIG. 8, where the dispenser is divided longitudinally into two symmetrically reversed parts 361 and 36r, each part consisting of a halfsection Ila of the casing with appending end cap portion 13a comprising a boss 27a and a shoulder 29a. The parts are shown disassembled and as can be seen they are intended to be pushed into each other lengthwise, one casing-half sliding inside the end cap portion of the other half at 37, e.g., while being snapped in place or held by friction.

FIG. 9 illustrates an additional embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention which in this case is adapted to hold aluminum foil for household use. These rolls have a considerably smaller diameter than the rolls of paper toweling, but the same general type of dispenser may be used for both kinds. As shown in FIG. 9 the dispenser is divided transversely along a central radial plane, and the two halves 381 and 38r of the casing are preferably connected by means of a bayonet catch or similar locking device. In such a case one half 11b of the casing is thus integral with one end cap portion 13b comprising an end wall boss 27b and a shoulder 29b. In this connection it should be noted that if both openings 14 in the easing (see FIG. 1) are arranged with their finger portions pointing towards each other when seen in a flattened view similar to FIG. 3, the two halves of the dispenser may be identically constructed.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrates an additional way of dividing lengthwise the dispenser according to the invention. In this case the dispenser consists of two halves 401 and 40r, the one, as in previous embodiments, forming the mirror image of the other. The halves are linked at 42, the link consisting of a hinge or, if the dispenser is made of nonrigid plastic, simply a strip or a band of the same material arranged in a known manner. Each half comprises a half-section of the casing having an end wall portion in each end, the one provided with a rather short and blunt boss 44, the other being cut in the shape of a half-circular indentation 46 of the same radius as the boss. The assembly is clear from FIGS. 10 and 11: if the halves are folded together, the indentation 46 at one end of a casing section will fit around the peg 44 located at the same end but on the other half of the dispenser. A paper roll 22 is indicated by dot and dash lines in FIG. 10. As is evident the cylinder core 22a will in this case be centered by the conical bosses 44 supporting the end edges of the cylinder. The dispenser is preferably made of nonrigid plastic and consequently, if a roll of paper 22 is inserted in one of the halves, e.g., 401, and the other 40r half is folded over, the boss 44h will yield for the roll and then snap into its cylinder core 22a. If the container is made of a rigid, impact resistant plastic, the necessary axial resilience may be provided in the hinges 42.

The embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is also divided longitudinally. In this case, however, the casing along with one of the end cap portions is divided in two identically shaped halves 501 and 501', preferably made of a rigid material, e.g., impact resistant polystyrene. The other cap portion 52 is made of a resilient material, e.g., polyethylene, and is provided with a groove 54 arranged to engage the end portions of the casing halves 50 which are preferably formed with a bead S6 to ensure firm and steady fitting in the groove 54. In their normal position the casing-halves lie closely together, connected only by the cap 52. Owing to its elasticity the cap as a whole may operate as a kind of hinge permitting the halves 501 and 50r to be brought apart some distance in the direction of the arrows 58, so that the paper roll may be inserted or removed. In FIG. 12 a roll 22 is shown inserted. The elastic cap is here constructed with a guide in the form of an inwardly projecting boss 27c provided with a shoulder 29c similar to corresponding parts in previous embodiments. The divided cap portion at the opposite end consisting of two halves 601 and 60r is provided with a guide in the shape of a blunt cone 62, which in turn, owing to the division, will comprise to halves 62! and 62r. When the dispenser is opened (as the halves 50 are drawn apart in the direction of the arrows 58), the separating cone halves 621 and 62r force the roll 22 downwards by a wedging action, which results in the yielding of the elastic cap 52 in the direction of the arrows 64. Conversely, if the casing halves are pushed together after the insertion of a roll, the cap 52 will yield, whereupon the cone halves 62 snap into the cylinder core 220 of the roll 22. In this case the wedging action is effected by the bevelling of the cone halves as shown at 66. To facilitate the manipulation of the cone halves from the outside finger grips in the form of radial ribs 681 and 68r are provided in the recess of the divided cap portion 60, as shown in FIG. 13. The dispenser is opened by twisting apart the ribs in the direction of the arrows 69, and closed by twisting them together in the reverse direction. With this arrangement the roll 22 is locked by spring-action in the dispenser (see FIG. 12) and no special locking device is required to keep the dispenser closed.

Finally, FIGS. l4, l5 and 16 reveal one embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention as having some especially valuable qualities, not only from the point of view of storage and transportation but also from the point of view of manufacture. In this case the dispenser consists of four dismountable parts: two identical casing halves 701 and 70r, and two identical caps 721 and 72r. The former are obtained by dividing the cylindrical casing lengthwise into two symmetrical parts, the plane of division in the main coinciding with or nearly adjacent to the toothed cutting edges 78 of the dispenser (also other parting planes may be choosen). The corners of the casing halves 70 are provided with guides, e.g., slots 74 and tabs 76, located and arranged such, that the halves are unambiguously meant to fit together in one position only, as is illustrated for example in FIG. 14 (the importance of avoiding ambiguity should be kept in mind because of the fact that the guides-the two casing halves being identical-may also be placed so that they permit the halves to be put gether in two different positions, which naturally is undesirable). The caps 72, which keep the two casing halves together are provided with roller guides and may be friction caps as shown here, or they may be of a screw-on or snap-on variety, as shown in FIG. 6. To insert a paper roll only one of the caps need be removed momentarily, while the other one stays on and along with the operators hand keeps the dispenser together, preventing the divided casing from causing inconvenience. On the other hand the very possibility of division calls attention to the great advantage indicated in FIGS. 15 and 16, whereby the empty dispensers can be packed and kept within a limited space in storage and during transport from the time of manufacture to the time of sales, while an undivided, single unit dispenser is rather bulky. Finally, as has been indicated, their manufacture is facilitated by the fact that both the caps 72 and the casing halves 70 may be moulded in rather simple equipment, without any movable inserts.

As has been stressed above, the main point of the invention lies in the special shape of the containers dispensary openings, a further improvement being achieved by the combination with the inwardly projecting guides of the end caps. The manner in which the dispenser is to be opened is a practical problem. Within the scope of the invention the man of the art should have a wide range of possibilities in suggesting various ways of constructing the above-mentioned dispenser. Consequently the invention is not at all limited to the embodiments shown and described above, but may be further changed and modified within the scope of the following claims.

What we claim is:

l. A dispensing container for rolls of sheet material such as paper or metal foil, comprising a cylindrical casing with end caps for enclosing a roll of the material to be dispensed wound upon a tube-shaped core, said dispensing container having diametrically opposed openings formed in the casing, at least one of them constituting an opening for withdrawal of the roll of sheet material, said opening for withdrawal having a symmetrical shape in relation to the central transverse plane of the dispensing container, each withdrawal opening having a straight edge parallel with the axis of the casing, said straight edge having a length substantially exceeding the width of the roll of material to be dispensed, said withdrawal opening having also a circumferentially extending portion normal to said straight edge in said central plane corresponding to substantially 25 to substantially 40 percent of the circumference of said casing.

2. A dispensing container according to claim 1, wherein said straight edge constitutes a generatrix to the casing, the roll of material being arranged to be pulled out through said withdrawal opening for the subsequent tearing off against said edge, said portion forming a finger opening through which the fingers of a user may grasp the roll directly.

3. A dispensing container according to claim 1 wherein each opening in a view of said casing when flattened out is of substantially triangular form.

4. A dispensing container according to claim 1 wherein two of said openings are similar in shape, the location and orientation of said openings being such that the circumferential distance between them corresponds to half the circumference of said casing and their central portions point in the same angular direction.

5. A dispensing container according to claim 1 wherein two of said openings are similar in shape, the location and relative orientation of said openings being such that the circumferential distance between them corresponds to half the circumference of the said casing, and their central portions point towards one another.

6. A dispensing container according to claim 1 including central guides on said end-caps and arranged to engage the core of said roll, thereby holding the latter centered with respect to said withdrawal opening.

7. A dispensing container according to claim 6 wherein said guides are bosses projecting inwardly from said end caps and positioned so as to engage the tube-shaped core of said roll of sheet material with a predetermined amount of play.

8. A dispensing container according to claim 7 wherein the base portion of each boss has a collar or shoulder for axial centering of the roll of sheet material.

9. A dispensing container according to claim 7 wherein at least one guide is integral with the respective end cap of the dispensing container.

10. A dispensing container according to claim 7 wherein at least one guide is integral with the respective end cap of the dispensing container, said respective end cap being of flexible plastic material, at least one of said caps being snappable over the open ends of the dispensing container and formed with a peripheral bead for engaging an appropriate edge-guiding in the form of a groove at the end of said casing.

11. A dispensing container according to claim 6 divided lengthwise into two similar parts,'the one part being the mirror-image of the other, each part having an exit opening and a cap guide and being assemblable for enclosing and holding the roll of sheet material in a central position.

12. A dispensing container according to claim 11 wherein each part comprises a half-casing having at the one end a cap portion including a roll guide and at the opposite end a guiding edge portion for engaging the other half-casing to permit both halves of the said casing to be pushed axially into each other and remain fixed together.

13. A dispensing container according to claim 11 wherein said parts are halves linked along a longitudinal axis, each half having at one end a guide forming a solid of revolution and at the other end a recess fitting around the guide of the opposite half-casing when said two halves are folded together about an axis, said axis being a hinged axis.

14. A dispensing container according to claim 13 including hinges between said halves and comprising of strips of materi al identical to the material of said dispensing container body, said container being of flexible plastics material.

15. A dispensing container according to claim 6 wherein said casing along with one of said end-caps is divided into two identically shaped parts, each consisting of a half-casing having atone end a half cap portion including half a roll guide, said parts being made of a rigid material, an undivided cap portion made of a resilient material and provided with a roll guide being at the opposite end, said rigid casing parts being fixed along the outer edge of the flexible cap portion, whereby said parts may be drawn apart while the flexible cap yields, thereby permitting a roll of sheet material to be into the dispensing container, the roll guide formed by the two rigid casing parts being of a sloping form, so that when said dispensing container is opened or closed it engages the corresponding roll end with pushing force while overcoming the spring action resistance of the flexible cap portion at the opposite end, the divided guide also engaging the inside edge of the core of said roll when said dispense is closed.

16. A dispensing container according to claim 6 divided along a central plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dispensing container and forming two similar interlinking halves, each half comprising half a casing and appending cap portion, said cap portion having roll guides.

17. A dispensing container according to claim 1 wherein said casing is divided lengthwise into two identical halves leaving guides permitting said halves to be joined for forming together the casing of said dispensing container, said container having exit openings and a cutting edge and two identical lids arranged to fit on the joined casing-halves to hold them together when said dispensing container is being used.

18. A dispensing container according to claim 17 wherein said guides of said casing-halves are arranged in the corners of said halves so that said halves may be joined non-interchangeably. 

1. A dispensing container for rolls of sheet material such as paper or metal foil, comprising a cylindrical casing with end caps for enclosing a roll of the material to be dispensed wound upon a tube-shaped core, said dispensing container having diametrically opposed openings formed in the casing, at least one of them constituting an opening for withdrawal of the roll of sheet material, said opening for withdrawal having a symmetrical shape in relation to the central transverse plane of the dispensing container, each withdrawal opening having a straight edge parallel with the axis of the casing, said straight edge having a length substantially exceeding the width of the roll of material to be dispensed, said withdrawal opening having also a circumferentially extending portion normal to said straight edge in said central plane corresponding to substantially 25 to substantially 40 percent of the circumference of said casing.
 2. A dispensing container according to claim 1, wherein said straight edge constitutes a generatrix to the casing, the roll of material being arranged to be pulled out through said withdrawal opening for the subsequent tearing off against said edge, said portion forming a finger opening through which the fingers of a user may grasp the roll directly.
 3. A dispensing container according to claim 1 wherein each opening in a view of said casing when flattened out is of substantially triangular form.
 4. A dispensing container according to claim 1 wherein two of said openings are similar in shape, the location and orientation of said openings being such that the circumferential distance between them corresponds to half the circumference of said casing and their central portions point in the same angular direction.
 5. A dispensing container according to claim 1 wherein two of said openings are similar in shape, the location and relative orientation of said openings being such that the circumferential distance between them corresponds to half the circumference of the said casing, and their central portions point towards one another.
 6. A dispensing container according to claim 1 including central guides on said end-caps and arranged to engage the core of said roll, thereby holding the latter centered with respect to said withdrawal opening.
 7. A dispensing container according to claim 6 wherein said guides are bosses projecting inwardly from said end caps and positioned so as to engage the tube-shaped core of said roll of sheet material with a predetermined amount of play.
 8. A dispensing container according to claim 7 wherein the base portion of each boss has a collar or shoulder for axial centering of the roll of sheet material.
 9. A dispensing container according to claim 7 wherein at least one guide is integral with the respectiVe end cap of the dispensing container.
 10. A dispensing container according to claim 7 wherein at least one guide is integral with the respective end cap of the dispensing container, said respective end cap being of flexible plastic material, at least one of said caps being snappable over the open ends of the dispensing container and formed with a peripheral bead for engaging an appropriate edge-guiding in the form of a groove at the end of said casing.
 11. A dispensing container according to claim 6 divided lengthwise into two similar parts, the one part being the mirror-image of the other, each part having an exit opening and a cap guide and being assemblable for enclosing and holding the roll of sheet material in a central position.
 12. A dispensing container according to claim 11 wherein each part comprises a half-casing having at the one end a cap portion including a roll guide and at the opposite end a guiding edge portion for engaging the other half-casing to permit both halves of the said casing to be pushed axially into each other and remain fixed together.
 13. A dispensing container according to claim 11 wherein said parts are halves linked along a longitudinal axis, each half having at one end a guide forming a solid of revolution and at the other end a recess fitting around the guide of the opposite half-casing when said two halves are folded together about an axis, said axis being a hinged axis.
 14. A dispensing container according to claim 13 including hinges between said halves and comprising of strips of material identical to the material of said dispensing container body, said container being of flexible plastics material.
 15. A dispensing container according to claim 6 wherein said casing along with one of said end-caps is divided into two identically shaped parts, each consisting of a half-casing having atone end a half cap portion including half a roll guide, said parts being made of a rigid material, an undivided cap portion made of a resilient material and provided with a roll guide being at the opposite end, said rigid casing parts being fixed along the outer edge of the flexible cap portion, whereby said parts may be drawn apart while the flexible cap yields, thereby permitting a roll of sheet material to be into the dispensing container, the roll guide formed by the two rigid casing parts being of a sloping form, so that when said dispensing container is opened or closed it engages the corresponding roll end with pushing force while overcoming the spring action resistance of the flexible cap portion at the opposite end, the divided guide also engaging the inside edge of the core of said roll when said dispense is closed.
 16. A dispensing container according to claim 6 divided along a central plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dispensing container and forming two similar interlinking halves, each half comprising half a casing and appending cap portion, said cap portion having roll guides.
 17. A dispensing container according to claim 1 wherein said casing is divided lengthwise into two identical halves leaving guides permitting said halves to be joined for forming together the casing of said dispensing container, said container having exit openings and a cutting edge and two identical lids arranged to fit on the joined casing-halves to hold them together when said dispensing container is being used.
 18. A dispensing container according to claim 17 wherein said guides of said casing-halves are arranged in the corners of said halves so that said halves may be joined non-interchangeably. 